2023 How Long Does Mint Last After Picking: Expert Tell You

The Shelf Life of Mint: Factors That Affect its Longevity

The shelf life of mint depends mainly on biological properties and environmental conditions. Varieties with more volatile oils like spearmint tend to stay fresh longer, up to 4 weeks. Other varieties typically remain fresh for only 1-2 weeks.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

mint, mint sprigs, clear glass jar on book — *Photo by* *Daniel Öberg* / *Unsplash*

Optimal Storage Conditions for Extending the Lifespan of Mint

Proper storage conditions can significantly extend the shelf life of mint. The key is to maintain low temperatures and controlled atmosphere. Storing mint in the refrigerator between 35 to 40°F can help preserve freshness for about 2 weeks.

The following practices can maximize the shelf life of fresh mint:

Wrap leaves in damp paper towels, place in an airtight bag, and store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Avoid exposing mint to excess air which accelerates wilting.
Handle mint gently to minimize bruising. Any damage to leaves can facilitate spoilage and reduce storage life.
Keep mint away from ethylene-producing fruits which can accelerate senescence in herbs.
Minimize exposure to light. Although mint requires some light to perform photosynthesis, excess light can cause leaves to yellow and drop prematurely.
Avoid washing mint leaves before refrigerating. Washing removes the protective wax coating on leaves and makes them more susceptible to decay.

Following these optimal storage practices can help maintain the freshness, aroma and flavor of mint for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator after harvest. Beyond that time frame, many of the volatile oils will have dissipated significantly and the leaves will have begun to yellow and wilt.

mint, mint sprigs, two lemon juice on tabletop — *Photo by* *Jennifer Schmidt* / *Unsplash*

Signs of Freshness: How to Determine if Your Mint is Still Good

There are several visual and sensory indicators you can use to determine if your mint is still fresh and of good quality:

Visual cues:

Color: Fresh mint leaves should be bright green with no discoloration or yellowing. As mint begins to age and spoil, the leaves will start to turn brown around the edges and lose their vibrant green hue.
Texture: Fresh mint leaves should be supple and pliable, snapping rather than bending when folded in half. Wilted, limp or crumbly leaves indicate that the mint is likely past its freshness prime.
Smell: Fresh mint will have a strong, distinctive mint aroma that is released when the leaves are crushed or rubbed between the fingers. As mint ages, the essential oils that give it its fragrance start to deteriorate resulting in a weaker smell.

Sensory cues:

Taste: When tasting a sprig of your mint, fresh mint will have an intense cool, herbal flavor that fills the mouth. Aged or spoiled mint will taste dull, bitter or ‘off’.
Touch test: Fresh mint leaves will feel smooth and mildly sticky to the touch due to terpenes on the surface. Wilted mint leaves will feel dry and non- sticky.

In summary, a combination of visual and sensory indicators can help you determine whether your mint is still fresh and ready to be used in recipes requiring peak mint flavor. The sooner you can use freshly picked mint the better, ideally within a few days. However, following optimal storage practices can extend its shelf life up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

mint, mint sprigs, three clear drinking glasses filled with juice — *Photo by* *Whitney Wright* / *Unsplash*

Preserving Mint: Tips and Techniques for Long-Term Storage

While proper refrigeration can keep fresh mint for around two weeks, there are a few methods for preserving mint for months or even years:

Freezing: Freezing is a simple and effective way to preserve mint leaves for several months.

Wash and pat dry fresh mint leaves
Arrange the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer
Once frozen, transfer the leaves to an airtight freezer bag and return to the freezer
The frozen leaves can be added directly to recipes or thawed first

Freezer burn can reduce the flavor over time, so use within 3-6 months for best results.

Storing in Water: Changing the water every couple of days can keep mint stems fresh for several weeks.

Trim mint stem ends and place upright in a jar or vase filled with fresh water
Change the water every 2-3 days and trim stems again if wilted
Check roots daily for signs of mold and snip off any affected areas

Coating with Vaseline: Coating mint stems with petroleum jelly can seal in moisture, extending their life at room temperature for several months. Simply coat the stems and leaves in a thin layer of Vaseline before storing at room temperature. Change the Vaseline every 2-3 weeks.

Drying: Of all the options, drying mint leaves provides the longest storage time, up to a year. The dried leaves can be stored in airtight jars and added directly to recipes for mint tea, salads or flavoring.

Various methods can be used to dry mint leaves including oven drying, food dehydrator or air drying. Make sure to slice thicker leaves in half for more even drying.

mint, mint sprigs, clear glass cup — *Photo by* *Haoward Nguyen* / *Unsplash*

More Helpful Guide

Frequently Asked Question

How do you dry mint leaves?

To dry mint, wash and pat dry fresh mint leaves. Remove leaves from stems. Place leaves in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake leaves at lowest oven temp until crispy, about 30 mins.

How much water does mint need?

Mint needs consistent moisture. Water mint regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Drought conditions cause mint to wilt, brown and lose flavor.

Can too much mint be bad for you?

Yes, consuming too much mint may cause heartburn, flushing, headache, skin irritation or liver damage in some cases. Menthol overdose can also cause breathing trouble.